Systems Engineer
SYSTEMS ENGINEERS
What is systems engineering?
Systems engineering is a field of engineering that focuses on the design and management of complex systems. These systems could include anything from SaaS (software as a service) solutions to networks of IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in systems engineering professionals:
- Systems engineering
- Systems administration
- Cloud infrastructure
Why do you want to hire systems engineers?
The trick to finding top systems engineers is to identify your needs. Is your goal to find someone to help you migrate your enterprise web app to a microservices architecture? Or do you require an embedded systems expert to design the PCB (printed circuit board) architecture of your consumer electronics product? The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
HOW TO HIRE SYSTEMS ENGINEERS
Systems engineers can help you design, maintain, and improve your hardware and software systems.
So how do you hire systems engineers? What follows are some tips for finding top systems engineers on Upwork.
How to shortlist systems engineering professionals
As you’re browsing available systems engineering consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Technology fit. You want a systems engineer who understands the technologies behind your systems engineering project.
- Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., working with hypervisors such as VMware).
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular systems engineer.
How to write an effective systems engineering job post
With a clear picture of your ideal systems engineer in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective systems engineering job post should include:
- Scope of work: From cloud storage solutions to IoT networks, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, software, or technologies, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Ready to launch your systems engineering project? Log in and post your systems engineering job on Upwork today.
FAQS FOR HIRING SYSTEMS ENGINEERS
How much does it cost to hire a systems engineer?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced systems engineer may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their systems engineering services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How long should you contract a systems engineer to complete your project?
As difficult as it is to estimate how long you will need a systems engineer, budgeting time is very important to keeping your project on track.
Be prepared to budget more time for more-demanding systems engineering projects. For example, designing an architecture for a basic web app will typically take less time than designing a server-side solution for an enterprise web app.
What are the steps involved to hire systems engineers?
Here’s how to hire systems engineering consultants in four simple steps:
- Identify your project needs, whether it’s database management or network security.
- Define the scope of work and write a detailed job post. Be specific about deliverables (e.g., automating business processes with software solutions in an enterprise setting).
- Review proposals and shortlist potential systems engineers for unique skills needed to bring your project to life (e.g., Amazon Web Services).
- Interview systems engineering talent to gauge whether they’re the right fit for your project.